RNC Sunday August 26, 2012

Images from the Sunday before the start of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

A tribute to Neil Armstrong is displayed on the screens set up in the Tampa Times Forum as crews put the finishing touches on the location prior to the start of the Republican National Convention Sunday afternoon in Tampa.

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Final touches are made to the floor of the Tampa Times Forum where the Republican National Convention is being held this week in Tampa.

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Final touches are made to the floor of the Tampa Times Forum where the Republican National Convention is being held this week in Tampa.

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A view from the podium on the floor of the Tampa Times Forum Sunday afternoon at the site of the Republican Natioanal Convention in Tampa.

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Cindy Graves, a Florida delegate from Jacksonville, arrives in the lobby of the Edinburgh room at the Innisbrook Resort where many members of the Florida delegation are staying. "I've never been a delegate before and I'm very excited," said Graves. She's looking forward to hearing the speakers at the convention, but is most excited to hear Ann Romney speak.

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Delegates staying at the Innisbrook Resort are brought back from the parking lot during a downpour Sunday afternoon in Tampa.

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Rain soaked portions of Sunday as Florida delegates prepare to board busses at the Innisbrook Resort to be taken to the RNC Welcome Event at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

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Christine Hill, a delegate from Anchorage, AK, poses for a photo in front of a waterfront backdrop at the RNC Welcome Event Sunday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

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Guests at the RNC Welcome Event mingle on the ground of Tropicana Field Sunday night in St. Petersburg.

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Guests at the RNC Welcome Event dance together before a love performance Sunday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

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Georgia Delegate Oscar Poole (right) and his wife, Edna Poole, sit outside the party at the RNC Welcome Event Sunday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The couple has been married 62 years.

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Dancers perform for a crowd at the RNC Welcome Event Sunday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

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Nancy DeLuna, a California delegate from Palm Springs, wears her elephant pin named "Marla" after Marla Maples. DeLuna got the pin during the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, where she was a delegate, and has worn it to every RNC since. "It was the biggest one I could find," said DeLuna.

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Party goers at the RNC Welcome Event pose for a photograph Friday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

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Guests at the RNC Welcome Event watch a video on the large stage set up at Tropicana Field Sunday night in St. Petersburg.

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Roasted pork at the RNC Welcome Event Sunday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

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Paiella at the RNC Welcome Event Sunday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

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Randy Miller, of Vero Beach, performs for the crowd at the Republican National Convention Welcome Event, along with other members of the Souther Gospel Quartet he sings with, Sunday night in Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Miller is the Pastor of Worship at the First Church of God in Vero Beach. The other members of the group, all from Ohio, are Steve Feazel, Kim Brown and Tim Smith.

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Washington State delegates Rick Bauer (left) and Jane Milhans, say the Pledge of Allegiance at the Republican National Convention Welcome Event Sunday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

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Country music artist Rodney Atkins performs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders for the crowd at the RNC Welcome Event Friday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.